New restrictions introduced on entering the territory of Hungary

New restrictions introduced on entering the territory of Hungary

On 30 August 2020 the Hungarian Government accepted new rules on entering Hungary and Government Decree 407/2020. (VII.30.) restored border control at the entire border of Hungary effective from 1 September 2020.


Entering the territory of Hungary

1. Restrictions on non-Hungarian citizens

As a main rule, the entry of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary is prohibited with certain exceptions laid out in the Government Decree.

A. One such exception is business related trips between affiliated companies. Regardless of citizenship, an executive officer or employee of a company incorporated in Hungary or in a country listed in the respective Interior Minister’s Decree (Interior Minister’s Decree no. 33/2020 (VII.30.); currently any country) and affiliated with a company registered in one of such countries may freely enter Hungary. The free entry is subject to evidencing that the trip is business related.

After entering Hungary the non-Hungarian citizen may be required to undergo a medical examination, and in case of suspected infection a 14 day quarantine shall take place. If there is no suspicion of infection, a 14 day quarantine is still required, however, an application may be submitted to the competent district office to give permission for leaving the quarantine in order to undergo two COVID-19 tests carried out consecutively with 48 hours difference within 5 days from entering Hungary. The tests shall be carried out at the person’s own expense and the results of tests carried out in other countries are not acceptable.

If both tests have a negative result, the territorially competent epidemiological authority issues a decision on the exemption from the remainder of the quarantine. Only after the receipt of the decision (which is sent electronically) may the person leave the quarantine.

B. Entering Hungary for non-business related purposes is also possible, however only for reasons specified in the Government Decree (i.e.: other business, attending family functions, studies etc.). In such case an electronic application shall be submitted to the Hungarian Police and in case of a positive decision, the above-described rules on quarantine shall apply.

2. Restrictions on Hungarian citizens and residents of Hungary


As a general rule, Hungarian citizens may enter Hungary without any restrictions
, however may be required undergo a medical examination upon return, and in case of suspected infection the person shall be subjected to a mandatory 14 day quarantine. If there is no suspicion of infection, 14 days of home quarantine is still required, and the rules on application for exemption described above shall apply.

In respect of entering the territory of Hungary persons who hold a residency permit have the same rights and obligations as if they were Hungarian citizens.

3. Cross border commuters


The Government Decree also lays down special rules for cross border commuters. Citizens of neighboring states and Hungarian citizens living in neighboring states are allowed to enter Hungary within a distance of 30 kilometers from the state border and for a maximum period of 24 hours. A person entering Hungary in such way is allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 24 hours and is obliged to stay within 30 kilometers from the state border.

A Hungarian citizen working abroad may also return to the territory of Hungary from the territory of a neighboring country without any restrictions, provided that the duration of the citizens’ stay abroad did not exceed 24 hours and the person stayed within 30 kilometers from the state border.

The rules described above are expected to change as the epidemiological situation develops. At the time of writing, certain exemptions for citizens of the V4 countries (Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) have been announced, however the formal rules are not yet available.

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